MEDIA CONNECT CMO BRIAN FEINBLUM WRITES FOR IBPA
Brian Feinblum, the CMO of Media Connect, wrote a piece for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) on how authors use book publicity for more than book sales.
Read the full article below:
23 Reasons Why Writers Pursue Book Publicity … Other Than to Generate Book Sales
by Brian Feinblum
Most authors look to pursue a book publicity campaign for reasons other than to generate book sales. This may surprise some writers, but there are actually 23 reasons why they should promote themselves or utilize the services of a professional book publicity firm.
Now, of course, authors want to sell books. Some even pursue the dream of becoming bestselling authors. But getting the cash register to go ka-ching may be secondary to these goals and needs of many writers. Here are 23 additional factors as to why a writer executes a book publicity campaign:
- Branding – Authors want to build a name for themselves, which can translate into value in the future.
- Ego – Let’s face it, writers want their 15 minutes of fame.
- Sell Movie Rights – If a book gets discovered via the media, a movie could follow. The book doesn’t have to sell a ton of copies for it to be greenlit by Hollywood.
- Secure a Book Publishing Deal – Self-published or first-time authors could use a PR campaign to get the attention of a bigger publisher.
- Shine Light on an Issue – Advocating for change, support, or awareness regarding an important issue or topic can be aided with a book PR tour.
- Legal Maneuverings – Perhaps the author can use a book publicity campaign to help with getting favorable treatment in a court case they are involved in or care about.
- Sell Other Products – Aside from trying to sell the new book via a book publicity campaign, media attention for you and your site could help sell backlist titles or supplemental products like DVDs, audiobooks, and seminars.
- Promote Your Services/Business – If a book publicity tour can help you get more business as a consultant, or to drum up customers for your company, go for it.
- Get a Job Promotion or a New Job – You can advance your career with a book publicity campaign, as everyone wants to hire “the expert.”
- Help a Nonprofit Group – A book publicity campaign can also help spotlight a cause or issue and raise funds for a charity.
- Raise Your Speaker Fee/Get More Speaking Gigs – A book publicity tour can lure others into wanting to hire you as a speaker. A good media campaign can help you justify raising your speaking fee rate.
- Seek Public Office – A book and its media campaign could help someone launch a political career or run for office.
- Revenge or Fight Back – A book publicity campaign gives you a platform to speak for or against someone or something.
- Bring About Social Justice – Advocating for a better society? Use your book PR tour pulpit to impact, inspire, and influence others.
- Get People to Attend Your Events – Do you want people to hear you speak and pay to come to your events? Conduct a strong book PR campaign and you’ll put more butts in the seats.
- Fun – Doing a media tour for a book can be a really cool experience.
- Lay the Groundwork for a Series or Spinoffs – You can use the book publicity campaign for one book to create interest and excitement for a whole series or a sequel.
- Become a Paid Spokesperson – When a book PR campaign establishes you as the perceived expert, you may get hired by companies looking for a high-profile pitchman.
- Establish Yourself as an Expert – When your No. 1 goal is not to achieve book sales, your book PR campaign requires a different strategy than someone looking only at how many copies will be sold. For instance, you would highlight yourself more than the book, and you would push your views/ideas on a certain subject matter over merely sticking to promoting the exact contents of your book. Author PR is a different script than book publicity, though the two are closely linked and are seemingly similar.
- Get Hired to Work for the News Media
- Get More Clicks to Your Website
- Sell Products or Services of Other People on Your Website
- Leave a Public Legacy
Selling some books always sounds like a good idea, but just remember, it’s not the only reason writers engage in a book marketing campaign.
